1-855-957-8378
🚚 FREE SHIPPING on All U.S. Orders Over $200
Benefab®
Cart 0
  • Home
  • Shop

    Horse Products 17

    People Products 8

    Dog Products 4

    Bundles 5

  • Press
  • Blog
  • Pre-Loved
  • Dealers
  • Wishlist
Australia (AUD $)
Belgium (EUR €)
Canada (CAD $)
Costa Rica (CRC ₡)
Czechia (CZK Kč)
France (EUR €)
Germany (EUR €)
Italy (EUR €)
Japan (JPY ¥)
New Zealand (NZD $)
United Kingdom (GBP £)
United States (USD $)
English
Benefab®
  • Shop

    Horse Products 17

    People Products 8

    Dog Products 4

    Bundles 5

  • Press
  • Blog
  • Pre-Loved
  • Dealers
Wishlist Cart 0

Search our store

Benefab®
Wishlist Cart 0
Home / Blog
Blog

Winter Workout Tips for Your Horse

Jan 18, 2016
Winter Workout Tips for Your Horse
jument  baieWinter doesn’t have to be a time of hibernation for your horse. It is actually better to keep your horse in some sort of shape during the winter rather than giving him several months off and trying to get back in to show season shape in a hurry. Winter workouts help maintain your horse’s fitness, preserve training, and promote mental well being. Here are some tips to help you properly work your horse during the winter months:

Warm Ups

Warming up the cold muscles in the winter is critical to a safe ride. It stretches the muscles and joints and also gets your horse’s circulation going. Warm ups should be around 10-20 minutes. Warm ups can include small circles, lateral movements, counter flexions, halts, backing, walk to trot transitions, and so on.

Workouts

The main part of your horse’s workout is generally geared towards keeping your horse in condition and refining his skills. If you are riding three days a week, you should try to make one of those rides a “serious” ride. Depending on your disciple, this may include jumping, running a pattern, etc. This will also help to keep your horse’s mind in the game.

Show Conditioning

If you plan on showing your horse throughout the winter, conditioning shouldn’t be much different than during the summer. Create your work out plans based on how much fitness is needed for your show. If your horse is barefoot during the winter, put shoes on him 2-3 weeks prior to the show date to address any soreness if necessary.

Cool Downs

After any hard workout, your horse needs a proper cool down before returning to this stall or turnout. The circulation from a cool down helps to keep your horse from becoming stiff and sore. If the horse’s skin is wet from sweating, the horse needs to completely dry out to keep the horse from getting chills. Walk your horse quietly under saddle for about 10-15 minutes or until he stops breathing heavily. Depending on how a horse is clipped, some horses may need a cooler on when being cooled out to keep them from catching a chill. Winter workouts are essential to your horse’s overall condition. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures and get out there and ride! For more information on winter workouts, CLICK HERE.
Previous
Setting New Year's Resolutions with Your Horse
Next
Does Your Girth Fit Your Horse?

Related Articles

Chia Seeds for Horses
May 22, 2025

Chia Seeds for Horses

Chia seeds are a great supplement to any diet. They are small seeds harvested from...
Read more
Common Diseases of Cattle
May 08, 2025

Common Diseases of Cattle

Cattle health can change quickly, and sometimes without warning. Raising cattle can be challenging, but...
Read more
White Line Disease in Horses
April 25, 2025

White Line Disease in Horses

What is White Line Disease? The white line is the area of the hoof where...
Read more
What Causes Diabetes in Dogs?
April 10, 2025

What Causes Diabetes in Dogs?

Just like people, dogs can develop diabetes. Understanding the causes of this disease is the...
Read more

Recent Posts

Chia Seeds for Horses
Chia Seeds for Horses
Common Diseases of Cattle
Common Diseases of Cattle
White Line Disease in Horses
White Line Disease in Horses
What Causes Diabetes in Dogs?
What Causes Diabetes in Dogs?
Can Horses Have Allergies?
Can Horses Have Allergies?
What You Need to Know About White Muscle Disease in Cattle
What You Need to Know About White Muscle Disease in Cattle
Dog Hip Dysplasia Home Treatment
Dog Hip Dysplasia Home Treatment
What Is Cushing’s Disease in Horses?
What Is Cushing’s Disease in Horses?
Mastering the Show Ring: Understanding Showing Cattle
Mastering the Show Ring: Understanding Showing Cattle
What You Need to Know About Vitamin D for Your Dogs
What You Need to Know About Vitamin D for Your Dogs

Focused &
Durable Designs

Products made specifically for you and your pets.

Free U.S. Shippingon All Orders over $200

We have you covered.

We Back Our
Products 100%

It's our customer promise.

BRAND PARTNERS

  • Become a Dealer
  • Become an Affiliate
  • Become a Registered Nonprofit
  • Logins for Dealer
  • Logins for Affiliate
  • Affiliate Resources
  • Meet our Ambassadors

CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • Contact
  • Shipping
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Money Back Guarantee
  • Warranty & Return Policy
  • Medical / Brand Disclaimer
  • FAQs

ABOUT BENEFAB

  • Why Choose Benefab?
  • The Benefab Story
  • Parables Podcast
  • Our Sister Brands
  • Media Inquiries
  • Blog
© 2013 -2025 Benefab®. Property of the Naar Boven Corporation. All rights reserved. Powered by TCW Digital
Payment options:
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Visa

Confirm your age

Are you 18 years old or older?

Come back when you're older

Sorry, the content of this store can't be seen by a younger audience. Come back when you're older.